Cartecay Bike Shop Road Rides

In addition to all of the great mountain bike trails in the area, Ellijay has some of the very best road-riding around.  You can ride for miles and miles without seeing a car and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery.  The views are astonishing but keep in mind that this is mountain country!  Here are some of our favorite road rides leaving right from the shop.

The Roundtop/Whitestone Ride - 40 miles

This ride has everything!  Some flat roads (as flat as it gets in Ellijay), a few hills, one or two longish climbs, and a few sprints courtesy of the local dogs.

Leaving the shop, go south on Main Street through town (as it leaves town it becomes Old Highway 5).  Stay on old Hwy 5 for approximately 4 miles until you see the sign for Roundtop Road (on right).  Turn right onto Roundtop Road (gradual uphill climb, so be ready!)  Follow Roundtop Road until it dead-ends into Highway 136.  Turn left and follow 136 into Talking Rock (Highway 136 will turn left into Talking Rock and cross the railroad tracks).  At the fork in the road (church in the middle), Highway 136 bears to the right.  Go LEFT onto Whitestone Road at this fork.  Follow Whitestone Road.  About 1/2 mile after you pass the GA Marble rockcrusher on your right, Whitestone makes an UNMARKED left turn.  If you miss this turn, the road will soon turn to gravel and you will know you have gone too far.  Continue on Whitestone (steep climb up to 515/575).  Cross over 515/575 (VERY DANGEROUS TRAFFIC - BE CAREFUL), and continue on Whitestone until it ends at old Hwy 5.  Turn right onto old Hwy 5 and follow it back into town and the shop.

The "Real" Burnt Mountain Ride - 50 miles

You might want to check your gearing before heading off on this ride.  There is one killer climb and one equally killer descent!

Leaving the bike shop, go north on Main St. until it dead-ends into Hwy 515.  Turn left on Hwy 515 (You will be on this VERY BUSY ROAD for 1/4 mile). Turn right on Ray Mountain Rd.  Follow Ray Mountain Rd. until it dead-ends into Turniptown Rd. Turn right and follow Turniptown Rd. until it ends at Hwy 52. Turn left on Hwy 52 and follow to 101 Lower Cartecay Rd.  Take Lower Cartecay Rd. to Old Clear Creek Rd.  Turn right on Old Clear Creek Rd.  At the next intersection turn left on Parker Rd.  Follow Parker Rd. until it ends at Clear Creek Rd. Turn left.  At the next intersection (SR 52), turn right.  Go 1/4 mile and turn right on Old Burnt Mountain Rd. (VERY STEEP CLIMB!!)  Old Burnt Mountain Rd. ends at SR 136(Burnt Mountain Rd.) Turn right on 136 and follow it down the mountain (KILLER DESCENT!!). Follow 136 through Talking Rock.  After you pass under Hwy 515  look for the Old Hwy 5 intersection. Turn right on Old Hwy 5 and follow it back to town and the shop.  GREAT RIDING!